NFL considering ‘targeting rule’ similar to college football

After a Bengals vs. Steelers game on Monday night that was brutally physical, to say the least, suspensions have been assessed, but a stricter policy on illegal hits may be imminent.

On Wednesday, Troy Vincent, the NFL’s VP of football operations, said that the league is considering the implementation of a targeting rule, similar to a policy that college football has about hitting defenseless players. The rule would eject players who land head-on, whiplash-inducing hits to opponents’ upper-body and head areas.

The NCAA put in their targeting rule before this year’s college football season, with the rule specifically saying that “no player shall target and make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent…with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder.”

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski put a late hit on Tre’Davious White during Sunday’s game.

(Adrian Kraus/AP)

Vincent also mentioned the possibility of a punishment schedule to deter “non-football acts,” or unsportsman-like plays away from the ball. Following this weekend’s incident where Rob Gronkowski dropped a shoulder on a face-down Tre’Davious White, there was outrage over the failure to immediately eject Gronk, as well as his decision to appeal his suspension.